Wind power has been used for thousands of years but was replaced by steam, petrol, and electricity in the past 250 years. However, wind is a renewable source of energy driven by the sun's energy and will continue to blow as long as the sun shines. While wind power is clean and renewable, it requires large areas of land for turbines and each turbine only produces 3 megawatts, so many are needed to match a power station. Turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into rotational motion that spins generators to produce electricity.

1. By Gary Saunders & Geoff Wass WIND POWER

2. Wind in the past We have used wind power for thousands of years but during the past 250 years steam engines, petrol engines and electricity took over from wind.

3. Wind Forever Wind is a renewable energy resource. It is a regular part of our weather, which is driven by energy from the sun. So as long as the sun keeps shining the wind will keep blowing.

4. Advantages Disavantages Renewable- as long as the sun shines the wind will blow Clean source- no emissions of CO 2 , SO 2 and N0 x Government initiatives to promote wind power Large land area required to get sufficent energy. (expensive) Only 3 Mw per turbine so 1000 are needed to produce same amount of energy as a power-station

5. How ? The kinetic energy of the wind is converted into rotational kinetic energy of the turbine. The turbine drives the generator. The generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy In strong winds the the blades of the turbine twist slightly. This slows the turbine down and prevents damage .

6. Wind Farm, Palm Springs, California

7. Wind Farm, Palm Springs , Canary Islands

8. Wind Farm, Tenerife, Canary Islands